The other part of the Barton guard tandem is Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR , who also had a solid outing against Izard County.

The senior finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block in the title game. She shot efficiently from the field, hitting 50% of her 14 shot attempts. Jackson did not hit a 3-pointer, but she sliced and diced the defense up on her way to the hoop. She finished well inside, drawing contact in the process. Though she struggled at the line, she forced several of the Lady Cougars to get into foul trouble.

Jackson was also helping get her teammates involved. She moved the basketball well and hit her open teammates with accurate passes. She also made an impact on the glass, starting the fastbreak after grabbing a defensive rebound and giving her team second-chance opportunities on the other team with her 4 offensive boards. 

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR asserted herself as one of the best guards in 2A against Izard County. Despite the loss, she made plays in just about every aspect of the game.

“Pick your poison” is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of this Lady Bear squad. Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR has proven to be an outstanding player alongside Wilson.

Jackson started off the tournament on a roll, putting up 30 in the first round. In the semis, the senior had 23 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter.

Like her junior teammate, Jackson is a clutch player. She is willing to put her team on her back in order to take them to the finish line. She can do so with her excellent shot-creating ability and quick defensive instincts.

If Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR and her star teammate are on their a-game, then Izard County will be in trouble. They will also try to make sure Barton’s second tournament appearance since 1982 is worthwhile.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR having a great game is not a surprise. I talked about her in an article yesterday, where I mentioned just how dangerous this senior guard can be.

Jackson put up 30 points in Barton’s big win over Ouachita. Her first round performance is one of many 30-point performances she has had in her career, which includes this season. Her ability to shoot from beyond the arch and to create her own shot separates herself from other guards in her class.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR is just about unstoppable with the ball in her hands. Ouachita learned that the hard way and the winner of the Riverside and Alpena will probably learn that as well.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR is one of the best scorers in the state of Arkansas. She averaged around 25 points per game with the Barton Lady Bears during the regular season, helping them lock down a 1-seed in the 2A playoffs.

Jackson is deadly from both inside and outside. With her ball-handling ability, she can take anybody off the dribble and score through contact, whether that is driving in the lane or pulling up for a jumper.

The senior had 39 points against Rivercrest during the season, which is just another day at the office for her. If she finds her groove on the offensive end, the opposition’s day is over, as she will not stop hitting shots.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR will be one of the names to look out for in the 2A playoffs and she was very deserving to be well inside of the top 50.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR is not necessarily “underrated.” She holds multiple college offers, including some Division I offers. However, she is still not being mentioned in some of the conversations regarding the state’s best guards.

Jackson has played extremely well alongside her star guard teammate, D’Mya Wilson. Jackson is averaging 25 points per game in her first and only season as a Lady Bear after being an all-state selection at Helena-West Helena last year. Against Rivercrest earlier this month, the senior notched 39 points in a huge victory.

If you are matched up with Jackson when she has the ball in her hands, just go ahead and give up. She can score in a variety of ways and from anywhere on the court. Jackson can drive to the basket, finishing with a floater or through traffic. She can find her spots from mid-range, usually off the dribble, or she can take a step back and drop it in from long distance.

She has great handles, making defenders look silly. Now, if you do not have good handles like Jackson, then she will swipe you. The senior is able to use her quickness well on both ends of the floor.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR will be playing for a college team next season, but for now, she will be taking another 2A favorite to possibly its first championship in a long time.

FYI: Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR is no longer at Central West Helena High School, she is now at Barton High School.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR is a very confident basketball player who has no issue being the number one option on offense. Jackson does move from a 3A-8 squad to the 2A-6, but this should be a great opportunity for Jackson to show off her skills.

Jackson was able to show off her solid perimeter abilities at Central West Helena, and it should be no different at Barton. Jackson has a fluid form from beyond the arch, and if the defense gives her too much space, she has no problem cashing in on those open shots. Jackson can hits these shots off the catch or off the dribble.

Jackson can control the pace of the game well. She has no issue turning up the tempo and driving inside for some tough contested layups. She can also drive and step back for a short jumper if the defense cuts off the driving lane. Jackson can slow the tempo down and set up the offense. Here, she is able to display her solid handles.

Jakyra Jackson Jakyra Jackson 5'6" | CG Barton | 2025 State AR has shown off some skill so far in her high school career, so look for her to have a very strong senior season in 2024/25.